Joe Borg faces European Parliament today

Maltese Commissioner-designate Joe Borg faces tough questions today when he appears in front of the fisheries committee of the European parliament for his approval hearing.

After serving in the development portfolio for the past five-months together with Commissioner Paul Nielson, Dr Borg has been assigned the fisheries and maritime affairs portfolio in the new Barroso commission which takes office on November 1.

Prior to a parliamentary vote scheduled for the end of this month, all nominated commissioners have to appear in front of their respective parliamentary committee at the European Parliament. Dr Borg's 'scrutiny' session will commence this afternoon and will take three hours.

He is expected to spell out his priorities for the fisheries and maritime affairs sectors for the next five years, answering questions by MEPs. Due to the fact that Dr Borg's portfolio includes maritime policy, MEPs from the transport parliamentary committee are also invited to participate in the hearing.

During the last weeks, Dr Borg had to answer a questionnaire in writing sent by the fisheries committee. The answers given will be the basis of the question and answer session being held today.

Before sending the questionnaire, the fisheries committee president, Frenchman Philippe Morillion expressed doubts on what the president designate of the commission intended by assigning maritime affairs together with fisheries to Dr Borg.

In his replies Dr Borg explained that José Manoel Barroso has asked him to set up a new maritime policy task force with the aim of developing a Green Paper and launching a wide consultation on a future maritime policy of the Union.

Dr Borg said: "There is much important work relating to maritime affairs that has been done, or is being done, by various services that respond to different commissioners, such as those responsible for the environment, transport, energy, research, regional policy, enterprise and also others.

"It will be my task to ensure that through the maritime affairs task force we can build upon this valuable work and place it in a solid, holistic and coherent policy framework and I look forward to working closely with the commissioners concerned in this regard."

Dr Borg added that his responsibility will be to steer the work of the task force and to animate a wide public consultation exercise with all stakeholders in order to reach the widest possible consensus on the principles and means that should underpin the maritime policy of the European Union for the future.

With reference to the fisheries sector, Dr Borg said that he will be seeking to juggle policies to preserve dwindling fish stocks with "the concerns and specific conditions of fishermen, their communities, and other stakeholders".

"I will work to put in place these efforts progressively within the context of an EU maritime policy that will provide a framework for the sustainable development of all sea-based activities and resources.

"Such a policy should also embrace aspects of policies such as the environment, transport, energy, research, tourism and regional policy."

The final vote on the entire Barroso commission will be taken during this month's plenary session in Strasbourg. Parliament cannot veto any individual nominee, which makes it difficult for a total rejection of Mr Barroso's team. At most, MEPs could press Mr Barroso to perform a reshuffle if some nominees are deemed unsuitable.